Factory Five Racing, a Massachusetts company, started in the kit car business in 1995 and one of the models offered was the 818s, a small roadster whose guts would be based on a Subaru Impreza. The seller bought this kit five years ago and says he/she has gotten it 80% completed, but it will need further mechanical and cosmetic tinkering. This could be a cool little car when finished, but you’ll have to be okay picking up where someone else left off. Located in Anderson, South Carolina, this quirky project is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $13,900. Thanks for the nifty tip, Chuck Foster.
The supplier’s website provides a full rundown on the 818 and its variants (a model no longer in production). You’ll have to supply the running gear which is based on a Subaru Impreza/WRX configuration. The design of the car was computer generated, so it supposedly takes advantage of the latest technologies. As a result, the 818 (which stands for 818 kg or 1,800 lbs. in weight), the “S” is a two-seat, mid-engine street sports car where the kit itself was available for less than $11,000. Buyers got a frame, body panels, suspension and steering, a partial fuel system, a cooling system, interior pieces, and more.
We assume the buyer started with the requisite 2002-07 donor. As the seller entered his/her retirement years, interest in the project has waned, hence the reason for selling the car and moving on. It has never been started, much less driven, but the body is primed and ready to go to the paint shop. Besides your own sweat and effort, you’ll have to provide a battery, wheels, and tires to get this 818 closer to being roadworthy. But other work is needed, such as brakes, wiring, and some of this and that.
The seller says the 2.0-liter turbo was sourced from Japan and may have low mileage. The seats came from a Pontiac and have been redone. All the paperwork from the seller’s purchase was saved including the all-important assembly manual (you might need that). The seller is realistic in saying that the right buyer may be taking a “leap of faith” in acquiring this project as there can’t be many others out there to compare it to. If the seller gets his/her asking price, only about 2/3 of the original investment will be recovered.
I know this isn’t a particularly useful comment, but I really like how it looks. It’s like the love child of a Fiat 128 and a Miata.
Correction: I meant Fiat 124 Spyder, not a 128. Whoops!
For less than fourteen grand this is pretty cool. I had to look that engine up though, is it a boxer or in line design? The pictures weren’t real clear. If it’s the former then you’ve got something like a WRX in a light weight missile. Great looks.
The intake runners going off to each side would indicate boxer and in this case a WRX type engine you referenced. Would be nice to have a picture or two showing what the car really looks like.
Google is your friend….
https://www.factoryfive.com/818/818s/design/
Thanks for the link Guido36. That’s one well built car. Good looking too.
Now if I could find a Factory Five Daytona Cobra for that kind of money, I’d be a happy little boy!
What’s a partial fuel system?
(1) As an amateur welder; Wow, there is a lot of tube and welding in the frame.
(2) A great vehicle but will still suffer from the boxer engine head gasket short lived failures.
An exceptional find for sale. Practically road ready while doing the finishing work. Must be a hoot to drive!